December 10, 2018
This is “Our Past Is Present” from
the Geary County Historical Society.
On December
12, 1899, there was decorating going on in town and a spirit of
celebration. However, the celebration
wasn’t related to Christmas. It was
instead, a patriotic event where veteran soldiers honored younger
soldiers. December 12, 1899 had been
declared “Grand Army Day.”
The purpose
of this occasion was twofold. It was intended to honor the Geary County
soldiers who served in Company “L” of the 20th Kansas Infantry. This
was the National Guard Regiment that had won honors for gallantry in the
Philippines during the “postscript” to the Spanish-American War known as the
Philippine Insurrection.
The other
purpose of the observance was to increase the membership in the local post of
the Grand Army of the Republic. This was
a fraternal organization for Civil War veterans.
The big
highlight of the day, however, would occur when “the members of the Company
“L”, who enlisted from Junction City would formally present to the City the
cannon obtained by them in the Philippines. For the next 45 years or so, this
Spanish cannon was a prominent fixture near the fountain in Heritage Park.
Keep reading to learn more about how that old cannon was in Heritage
Park and then… it was not when we continue this story on Wednesday right here
on “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.
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